GRBluefan

June 18th, 2013 at 11:14 AM ^

Pavel seems like the type that will age well.  He is more 'crafty' than explosive.  He will likely continue to be one of the games top playmakers for a few more years.  The area where he may seems fall off is on the defensive side.  Even there, however, he is so good positionally that it won't likely be noticeable.

Randy Marsh

June 18th, 2013 at 11:17 AM ^

In case of confusion, this is a 3-year EXTENSION, meaning it's added on to the one season he has left on his current contract. Pavel is going to be a wing for four more years.

Away Goal

June 18th, 2013 at 11:18 AM ^

This guy makes some amazing plays each year.  Ridiculous off-balance, bad-angle, top-shelf goals.  I know he's "defensively responsible" but I'm always surprised he doesn't put up more points.  Kings fan here, but much respect.  Was very impressed when Doughty lit him up but he came right back and powered down the slot and then absolutely fired one home over Quick's glove.  One of my favorite all-time non Kings.

Bay_Area_Blue

June 18th, 2013 at 11:25 AM ^

Very good news here. For some reason, the link isn't working for me. What are the highlights of the contract? I know some people were a little wary of what type of deal he would get but I couldn't be happier that he's back and not leaving for Mother Russia just yet. 

CRex

June 18th, 2013 at 11:49 AM ^

7.5 million per year in terms of the cap hit, keeps him with Detroit until 2017.  It's a big chunk of 64 million cap, but I think it is a good deal.  Post 2017 I'd likely become more concerned of the oppturnity cost of keeping Pavel around.  As amazing as he is, you don't want to cut a young guy who can give you a decade of production just for a year or two more of Pavel.  

Edit.

Capgeek has the hit at 7,666,667 a year.  

Bay_Area_Blue

June 18th, 2013 at 11:50 AM ^

Staying on the topic of the Red Wings here, what sort of offseason deals do you all foresee? Val, Cleary, White, and Brunner are all UFAs. I would like to see Brunner signed but I think they can deal Filppula or Cleary to try and clear up some space for a strong forward or defenseman. 

Steves_Wolverines

June 18th, 2013 at 1:05 PM ^

Kronwall-Ericsson

Then you have Smith, Lashoff, DeKeyser, Kindl, Colaiacovo, and Quincey. 

Our future is in Smith, DeKeyser, Lashoff, and Kindl. That is a strong 4 to build around once Kronwall and Ericsson are gone. Quincey and Colo won't last too long, but would likely be replaced by someone on the Griffins. 

That's 8 defensemen. We also have several strong defensemen prospects in the AHL in Billins and Paetsch. 

Wings have no reason to reach in FA for defensemen or forwards. We have everything we need in the AHL right now. 

Steves_Wolverines

June 18th, 2013 at 2:28 PM ^

With how tight the salary cap is going to be down the road, we don't need to overpay for a FA defensemen. They usually go for 5+ million, and I don't think we need to overspend when we have very capable pieces that have the potential to be the next Girardi's, Brian Cambell's, or Keith Yandle's. 

Sac Fly

June 18th, 2013 at 2:45 PM ^

The Wings locked up their core and are still 10 million under the cap. Quincey, Bertuzzi, Colaiacovo and Samuelsson all have expiring contracts in 2014, shedding another 13 million in salary.

Quincey is making 3.75 million this year, so paying an All-Star an extra 1.25 shouldn't be an issue at all.

Blue In NC

June 18th, 2013 at 3:12 PM ^

I agree with acquiring a D-man but only if it's a top-2 guy.  You don't get those guys for $5Mil.  The Wings have an opening if they can find an elite, $6 or 7 Mil guy but they have plenty of top 3-4 guys so they do not need to reach by paying a #4 guy $5Mil per year.  Going after Suter was okay.  Going after Mark Streit would not be.

Blue In NC

June 18th, 2013 at 4:48 PM ^

 I believe he is a right-handed shot, correct?  I guess you can make a case for him but he is also 29 and doesn't score much so depending on term, that may be a reach (e.g. if he wants a 5-year deal).  

Letang seems like a good fit for the Wings but the word is that he wants at least $7Mil per on at least a 5-year deal after next year.  I would guess that he will get that. 

Blue In NC

June 18th, 2013 at 9:52 PM ^

I agree that someone will likely give him 5 years at $5Mil plus.  Just don't think it will be the Wings since they typically do not overspend on UFAs although they certainly did make a big play for Suter.  I just think it's unlikely they get in a bidding war unless it's a real top end guy.  Letang might qualify.

Sac Fly

June 18th, 2013 at 3:09 PM ^

You're putting a little too much faith in a group of players who have very limited experience with the 25ish MPG that come with being a top pair blueliner.

There are plenty of guys in this league who are great at 15-20 minutes, but can't handle 25-30. In this situation you take proven talent over potential.

lilpenny1316

June 18th, 2013 at 4:18 PM ^

Maybe DeKeyser can be one of those guys, but the Red Wings power play, which opposing teams normally feared, was merely two minutes of rest for Jimmy Howard while the rest of the team played in the neutral zone or passed the puck around the perimeter in the offensive zone.  I think that was what they missed most from Lidstrom on the ice.  Hopefully they can fill that void this offseason.

MGoMatt30

June 18th, 2013 at 12:18 PM ^

Excited to Pav will be around a little longer!

$7.6 cap is still a great deal considering he is one of, if not the best, in the NHL.

White is gone. Cleary may be resigned for cheap for depth but it's time for the kids to play and I don't think he'll be out there much.   Brunner will be the interesting one.  No doubt the Wings will want to sign him, but it will be a battle between all the money teams might throw at him in a weak FA market and his ties to Detroit.  

SF Wolverine

June 18th, 2013 at 12:39 PM ^

Be interesting to see what Holland does to accomodate the young talent the WIngs need to sign. I assume Fil is gone; wonder whether they are looking to do something with Mule as well.

cheesheadwolverine

June 18th, 2013 at 2:36 PM ^

He is, without a doubt, my favorite player in the NHL, so great to have him back.  But moving to the Eastern Conference which is, for lack of a better description, a bit less skilled and a bit more thug-ish is anyone else worried he might be a bit out of his element?

Counterargument: Hagelin, Carl.

His Dudeness

June 18th, 2013 at 2:47 PM ^

I got away from hockey over the last 5 or 6 years and saw that we don't have a bruiser really and was somewhat shocked. My buddy explained it to me thusly: "the RedWings are skilled and they just dont have room for a guy who intimidates if he isn't highly skilled and those guys are really rare." The game has changed so much in the last few years that there really isn't room for a guy like that on our roster. It still worries me, but I understand it a little bit now.

I do think he (Dats) might miss a few more games in the East.

CompleteLunacy

June 18th, 2013 at 7:15 PM ^

The West had the Ducks and the Blues, so it's not like there will be a huge difference moving to the east in that regard. Given the greatly reduced amount of travel (especially less between time zones), I don't see how this can be anything but positive. I wonder if playing in the east motivated Dats to stay around a little while longer, honestly.